Tamer's Path

After finishing the defense training, I walked into the intelligence training area with my team. This room was different from the others—it was designed like a strategy battlefield with holographic screens surrounding the arena. The purpose here was to test the user's ability to command and think strategically, simulating real battle situations against an A.I. opponent.

I looked at my partners. Lilia, Nyxarath (the shadow), and Sangrelis (the bat) were all eager to try it out. Elythia, the wasp, however, was a bit hesitant. She was more of a warrior at heart, a creature that thrived in combat, not one to give orders and direct others. But I knew she needed to go through this if she was going to grow.

"So, how do we do this, Akira?" Lilia asked, her voice calm but curious. She had proven herself in the previous tests, and I could see her confidence growing.

"You'll each be in the arena, one at a time," I explained. "You'll choose a team of monsters to fight against the A.I. It's all about tactics—how well you command your monsters, how you handle different situations. I won't be participating directly. You'll have to strategize and win this one on your own."

Nyxarath tilted his head, his glowing red eyes focused on me. "This seems like something I'll enjoy," he said in his usual cryptic tone. "I can't wait to see what the A.I. throws at me."

Sangrelis, the bat, grinned. "I'm up for any challenge. Let's see if I can outsmart that A.I.!"

I smiled, seeing their excitement, but then I glanced at Elythia. She was fidgeting with her wings, clearly anxious. "What's wrong, Elythia?" I asked, stepping closer.

She sighed, her antennae twitching. "I'm not sure I'm cut out for this... I don't like giving orders. I'd rather just fight."

I nodded, understanding her hesitation. "I get it, but this will help you grow. You're not just a warrior; you're a leader too. Trust me, you'll get the hang of it."

Elythia hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Fine. I'll try."

The system buzzed, signaling that we could begin. Lilia was the first to step into the arena. As the doors slid shut behind her, I turned to the others. "Just remember, focus on teamwork. You're only as strong as your team."

The screen flickered to life, and Lilia's selected team appeared on the holo-display. She chose a mix of plant and elemental creatures—ones that could support each other well. Her first opponent was an A.I.-controlled team of aggressive creatures with high physical strength.

I watched closely as Lilia directed her team, using her knowledge of terrain and her strategic thinking to position them in the best way possible. At first, everything seemed to go smoothly. She used her vine-like creatures to create barriers while her elemental monsters attacked from a distance, wearing down the enemy's strength.

"Nice work, Lilia. Keep them coordinated," I called out, but she didn't need much guidance. She was in the zone, analyzing every move.

The A.I. responded with some smart counterattacks, using the environment to its advantage and adapting quickly. But Lilia adjusted her tactics with precision, ordering her creatures to shift positions and adapt to the changing threats.

After a few intense minutes, Lilia's team overpowered the A.I.'s. She stepped out of the arena, grinning. "That wasn't as hard as I thought."

"You did great," I said, giving her a thumbs up. "On to the next level soon, I think."

Nyxarath was next. As he entered the arena, he gave a quiet chuckle. "This will be interesting." He chose his team of dark and shadowy creatures—ones that could blend into the surroundings and strike from the shadows. His first opponent was an A.I. team of swift, agile creatures, built for speed.

It was a test of subtlety, and Nyxarath's creatures excelled in this. He commanded them with eerie calm, using the shadows to his advantage and ambushing the A.I. team at the perfect moments. The A.I. struggled to keep up as Nyxarath's team picked them off one by one.

"Well done, Nyxarath," I said when he finished, watching his calm expression. "You're a natural."

Sangrelis was up next, and I knew he'd enjoy this. He was quick-witted and loved a challenge. His team was a mix of flying creatures and tough, ground-based ones. His A.I. opponent was a mix of long-range and close-combat monsters, creating an interesting dynamic.

Sangrelis immediately took charge, sending his flying creatures to scout the terrain while his ground units set up defensive positions. He seemed to anticipate the A.I.'s moves before it even made them, using his creatures' speed and versatility to gain the upper hand. The battle was fast-paced, with Sangrelis pulling off some clever maneuvers to trap the A.I. in tight spots.

"Well, that was fun," Sangrelis said as the system ended the simulation. "That A.I. didn't stand a chance."

Finally, it was Elythia's turn. I could see her hesitating, but I gave her a reassuring nod. "You've got this. Lead your team like you lead yourself."

She took a deep breath and stepped into the arena. The screen lit up, and her team materialized—a mix of agile and strong creatures, ready to fight. The A.I. selected a team of similarly skilled monsters. I could already tell this wasn't going to be easy for Elythia. Her team was fast, but they were disorganized.

"Focus, Elythia. Use your instincts," I said from the sidelines. "You've got experience in combat—apply that here."

She looked up at me, her wings trembling slightly. "I... I'll try."

At first, Elythia struggled to issue commands. Her team didn't respond well, and the A.I.'s team started gaining ground. I could see her getting frustrated. "Come on, come on!" she muttered to herself, flapping her wings nervously.

Her team got caught in a trap—a simple ambush from the A.I.—and Elythia was taken out of the simulation. The screen flashed, signaling her loss.

I quickly stepped forward as the doors opened. Elythia was visibly upset, her antennae drooping. "I... I failed. I couldn't do it," she said, her voice low.

"Hey, it's alright," I said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You just need more practice. We'll work through it together. You're strong, but this kind of thing takes time."

She sighed. "I know... but it feels frustrating. I've always fought, not led."

"We'll sit down later, go over some tactics. I'll help you develop your leadership skills," I reassured her. "This is just a start. You'll get better, I promise."

She nodded slowly. "Okay, I'll trust you, Akira. Let's try again later."

I smiled and looked at my team. "Great job, everyone. We've got a lot to work on, but I know we'll get stronger. One step at a time."

And with that, we left the training room, already planning our next strategy session.

After finishing up with the intelligence training, I finally arrived at the power training area. Unlike the other areas, this one had fifty rooms. It felt almost like a closed arena where the real tests would take place, and I was eager to see how my partners would perform. The gravity inside would be heavy, the challenges intense, but it was necessary. We were here to build strength, to push past limits, and to refine the raw power each of my creatures held.

The power training wasn't just about strength. It was about strategy, adaptability, and learning to overpower specific moves. The system simulated attacks from different creatures—both the same type as the user and the opposite type—to test how well they could withstand, defend, and counter. Every strike they made had to be focused and controlled, the kind of precision that was essential for any battle.

As we entered the large room, I could feel the pressure immediately. Gravity was intensified here—each step felt heavier as though the air itself was pulling me down. But that was nothing compared to what my partners would face.

"There are fifty rooms for training, but it seems like everyone is packed in here," I said, glancing around at the lines of tamers and their creatures. Some were chatting with each other, others were focused, while a few were gritting their teeth in anticipation.

Lilia, standing beside me, glanced around too. "Looks like this will be a tough one. Are you sure about the difficulty levels?"

I nodded, giving her a reassuring smile. "Yes. I've arranged for your level of difficulty to match yours. Just focus, and remember, the goal is to overpower and control your attacks."

It wasn't long before we were ushered into one of the rooms. One by one, my partners would step into the arena to face the challenge, while the others waited.

Lilia was up first. She stepped into the training circle, and I could see her already adjusting her stance. She was a master of barriers, so I wasn't worried about her defense. The challenge for her would be the elemental attacks—particularly fire and ice.

The system simulated creatures made of fire and ice, their attacks coming at her with intense speed. It wasn't just about survival; she needed to counter the attacks with precision.

"Lilia, you've got this," I called out as she raised her hands, and the air around her shimmered with green energy. A barrier of vines and energy formed, deflecting the initial barrage of fire and ice. The heat from the fire pushed against her barrier, but she held firm, using her knowledge of the terrain to her advantage.

The system increased the pressure, adding more enemies. A massive fireball hurtled towards her, and I could see the strain on her face as she struggled to maintain her defenses. Sweat dripped down her forehead as she pushed herself to her limits.

The training room's gravity increased even more, but Lilia didn't falter. She expanded her barrier outwards, blocking the fireball and the ice shards simultaneously. Slowly, but surely, she overwhelmed the incoming attacks, and the system signaled her success. Lilia's breathing was heavy, but she smiled back at me.

"That was... intense," she said, wiping the sweat from her brow. "But I managed."

"You did great. Just remember, the more you face, the stronger you'll become," I said, nodding approvingly.

Next up was Nyxarath—the shadow. As he entered, I could see the calm resolve in his eyes. Nyxarath was a creature of darkness, so I knew the next challenge would be particularly hard for him. The system would simulate light-based attacks—something he had no experience with.

As soon as the training began, bright beams of light shot toward him, some of them searing hot. He dodged with grace, but the attacks came faster and faster, the intensity of the light almost blinding. I watched closely, knowing that the challenge was more mental than physical for him. Darkness was his domain, and light was its natural enemy.

The light creatures sent powerful beams at him, and I could see Nyxarath's body shifting, trying to absorb the attacks, but the light was just too overwhelming. For a moment, he looked frustrated, even fearful—his eyes wide as he struggled to keep up.

"You're not going to win by running," I called out, knowing he needed some guidance. "Counter the light. Use the shadows to avoid the direct hits and get in close."

With a deep breath, Nyxarath shifted into the shadows, becoming nearly invisible. He used his own dark energy to obscure the light attacks, but the pressure was mounting. The more the light and darkness clashed, the more it seemed to shake his confidence.

Finally, after a brutal exchange, the system stopped the training, signaling that he had been overwhelmed. Nyxarath stepped out of the arena, panting heavily. "That was... harder than I expected. Light really is terrifying."

I approached him, giving him a pat on the back. "It's not about winning right now. It's about learning your weaknesses and using them to grow stronger. We'll work through this."

Sangrelis, the bat, was up next. He wasn't as familiar with elemental forces as the others, but his strength and durability were his greatest assets. His weakness was to lightning and fire, so I knew that these elements would be tested in this training. However, I had faith that his toughness would get him through it.

The holographic creatures that the system deployed against him were fast, and they were armed with both lightning and fire. Sangrelis took the first few hits, but he adapted quickly. He used his natural toughness to endure, taking the hits head-on and retaliating with strong, precise strikes.

The lightning blasts hit him hard, but his bat-like wings helped him dodge the brunt of the force. With a mighty flap, he closed the distance between him and the lightning creature, landing a solid hit that took it down.

"Not bad, Sangrelis. You've got the right idea—keep moving, keep hitting hard," I called out. He gave a toothy grin, his wings fluttering in excitement.

"That was a good warm-up. Bring on the next challenge," Sangrelis said confidently.

Finally, Elythia, the wasp, stepped into the arena. She had always been a fighter, more of a warrior than a tactician, but I knew she could handle herself. The system would throw fire and lightning at her as well, but Elythia had a higher power rating for her level, and I was confident in her abilities.

As soon as the training began, fire and lightning rained down on her, but Elythia buzzed through it. She used her speed to dodge the most dangerous attacks, but her sheer power allowed her to overpower many of them. Each strike she delivered was precise, making her a formidable opponent despite her weaknesses.

She grinned after finishing, her antennae twitching. "That was nothing. I can do this all day."

I chuckled, pleased with her confidence. "You're getting stronger, Elythia. Keep that mindset."

With all the power training completed, I knew my team was stronger than before, but there was still more to learn. The final stage was the fighting area, where tamers could battle against holographic creatures to get real experience in combat situations. However, it would take too long to fit in that training today.

Instead, I decided to move toward the arena, where we could face off against real creatures—this was where the real challenges awaited us.